The Karnataka Lokayukta has set a firm deadline of August 15 for civic bodies in Bengaluru to clear all garbage black spots across the city. The directive came during a review meeting on July 29, where the Lokayukta expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made so far in tackling the persistent issue of unscientific solid waste disposal.
The Lokayukta has mandated that the five Greater Bengaluru city corporations and Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) must intensify their efforts to eradicate these garbage black spots. This urgent call for action aims to significantly improve the city’s cleanliness and public health conditions.
In parallel, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has issued a stern warning to owners of vacant private plots. These owners are required to clear all debris, waste, and vegetation from their properties by the same August 15 deadline. Failure to comply will result in civic bodies undertaking the cleanup, with the costs being recovered from the property owners through their property tax. Penalties for non-compliance can range from Rs 25,000 for the first violation, doubling for a second instance, and escalating to Rs 1 lakh for subsequent offenses.
The GBA has also launched a month-long “Freedom from Waste” campaign, commencing in August, to further enhance the city’s waste management efforts. This campaign involves city corporations and other agencies jointly removing black spots, construction and demolition waste, debris, and other accumulated waste materials from roads and public spaces. As part of this initiative, approximately 22,000 tonnes of waste spread across 1,616 identified locations are slated for removal.
To bolster the campaign, all vehicles transporting construction and demolition waste are now mandated to be registered and equipped with GPS tracking devices. This measure is intended to improve the monitoring of waste transportation and prevent illegal dumping. The GBA has also urged the public to report instances of illegal dumping by sending photos with GPS coordinates via WhatsApp.
The issue of waste management in Bengaluru has been a recurring point of contention, with political parties frequently engaging in debates over the handling of the crisis. Allegations of financial irregularities and scams in tender processes for waste management have surfaced, with the opposition calling for thorough investigations. The government, however, has defended its actions, attributing some of the issues to the previous administrations and highlighting efforts to streamline the system.
The Lokayukta’s intervention signifies a critical juncture in addressing Bengaluru’s long-standing waste management challenges, emphasizing accountability and timely action from all stakeholders involved.
The Chenab Times News Desk